Dialing In Your Roast – Timing, Technique & Taking Notes

In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, Stephen and Catherine tackle a listener question that turns into a deep dive on roast technique, timing, and consistency.

Jennifer from New Hampshire asks how to get the most out of her Fresh Roast SR800—and whether there’s a “right” way to approach heat, timing, and roast profiles. Stephen and Catherine break down different roasting styles, explaining why there’s no single correct method—only what works best for your taste.

They also explore one of the most overlooked tools in home roasting: logging your roasts. Even without advanced temperature tracking, simple observations—like when beans yellow, hit first crack, and finish development—can dramatically improve consistency and help you replicate your best results.

If you’ve ever wondered how to refine your roast or make sense of your process, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you roast with more confidence and intention.

Topics covered:

• Different roasting approaches and how to experiment
• Understanding roast phases without fancy equipment
• Why logging matters (and what to actually write down)
• How to use time and visual cues to improve consistency

Have a question you want answered on the show? Send it to [email protected]

NOTES:

Check out Jennifer's "Exhaust-o-Roaster" picture here

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